Lot 3203
1843-D $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. Well struck and untoned. A total of 36,209 were minted and only a handful of Mint State specimens remain. Small Date type, as always seen on Dahlonega Mint issues this year. Obverse with a barely visible die crack from the bust tip to the rightmost ray of star 1. Reverse with deeply impressed D mintmark, positioned overlapping the feathers of one arrow.
The Philadelphia Mint shipped two obverses and five reverses to Dahlonega in December 1842 and January 1843, no doubt with the understanding that the supply of stock reverses (which, of course, bear no dates) had become depleted. The production proved to be moderate by Dahlonega Mint standards, and several die varieties were made, including variations in mintmark size, large and small. With the 1843-D we see the first Liberty head Dahlonega quarter eagle can be said to be available without too much difficulty on the present market. Comparison of mintage figures will show that it is more elusive than its Philadelphia or New Orleans counterparts. Possibly between 500 and 1,000 specimens survive of the 1843-D quarter eagle, including a few in higher grades such as this golden jewel. Well struck and lustrous throughout, with grand eye-appeal. Pop 10; 4 in 62, 1 in 63.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 8,500.
|
| |
| Realized $8,338 |
